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Mental Health Parity

mom-of-3
mom-of-3
Hey! This a a very sore spot for me. Anyone else? Is there anyone out there paying out of pocket expenses because their limited mental health insurance ran out? It hasn\'t happened to us,yet, but it has happened to my sister who\'s son is being treated (she lives in Georgia), and it happened to my girlfriend (with her daughter)just recently. Pure discrimination! I\'ve written letters to our representatives (Ohio) and I e-mailed our paper asking them to write a letter on the subject. I was told they did recently (I was out of town)but it was tucked way back in the paper. I probably would have missed it anyway. I understand more states are adopting the the parity law, but at different \"levels.\" It should be a federal law, across the bar without any loop holes, either. Please, if you haven\'t, please write to your representatives, if your state laws allow limitations. Every little bit helps!
deleted_user
deleted_user
This is a big issue for me also. Just heard a lecture on topic at DBSA conference in Chicago. The bill gets passed in Senate, but not House. Hopefully with up-coming elections Republicans will no longer control House. Advice to all: 1) VOTE 2) Continue to send letters to legislators. As few as five letters can and do make a difference. 3) Parity exists in 14 states currently. Lobby to get your state added to this list.
starfish
starfish
This kind of selective coverage is what drives certain populations - in this case, those with ongoing mental health issues - to poverty. Because ongoing care IS available at low or no cost through most county health clinics to those with low income. In my experience, however, those who are employed by such entities have not been that effective. This has only been my experience, though. I have heard from others who have used public MH services and been very satisfied with their results.
deleted_user
deleted_user
When I lived in CA we were covered by the Mental Health Parity Act, however, trying to get United Healthcare to recognize such was an act of congress. My therapist tried and tried and continued to resubmit, and finally called upon me for assistance.

Unfortunately, I got no where with United Health Care, despite a state that had the ACT passed. Ultimately, to quit wasting my time....I paid the coverage out of pocket as my time was worth more than the hassle.

So, beware, even when a state passes the law...you then have the challenge of selective amnesia on behalf of insurance companies in interpretting and applying the benefits due.

It finally wore me out.....I\'m in for supporting Mental Health Parity as it is pure discrimination to treat mental health as a separate medical issue, given the impact that different symptoms have on individuals.

Gumby2go